Maybe it’s never actually encountering a dinosaur that makes them so intriguing, or their legendary size, or even the illustrated stories that so vividly bring them to life. A child’s natural curiosity about dinosaurs creates an ideal opening to teach them about biology, history, and scientific thinking.

On Saturday, the City of College Station Parks & Recreation Department invites dinomaniacs to spend the day at Lick Creek Nature Center with the Dinosaur George Traveling Museum. Dinosaur George treks back to the Jurassic to experience enormous, prehistoric dinosaurs and other epic creatures.

The first performance is from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., followed by a second show from 1-2:25 p.m. Each show is $5 per person, and registration is required.

For more than two decades, Dinosaur George has been teaching elementary, intermediate and middle school students about the amazing creatures that once ruled our planet. George Blasing is a self-taught paleontologist and animal behaviorist with more than 40 years of study and research.

With his vast knowledge of prehistoric life, expertise in animal behaviors, and powerful on-camera presence, Dinosaur George is a highly respected and sought-after expert who shares his love of all things prehistoric with throngs of enthusiastic fans.

The program displays dinosaur relics of all kinds from around the world with more than 150 museum-quality exhibit pieces from the earliest life on Earth. From giant Texas reptiles to dinosaurs and Ice Age mammals, you’ll see firsthand some of the creatures that once roamed our state — and maybe even your backyard!

Hallie Hutchins is in her third year as marketing staff assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department after graduating from Texas A&M in 2014 with a degree in sports management. She has previously worked with the Dallas Sidekicks professional soccer team and Texas Team Junior Golf. Originally from White Oak, Hallie also attended Kilgore College and was a member of the famed Kilgore Rangerettes dance team.

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The workshop has started. Councilwoman Linda Harvell is absent. No action was taken out of executive session.

5:12 p.m.

Consent Agenda Discussion

The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. No consent items were pulled for workshop discussion.

5:30 p.m.

Mitigation Bank

The council discussed whether the city’s three large well-field properties have potential to be used as mitigation banks, which could help keep water rates low. Certain properties with stream segments or wetlands can be used as mitigation banks that offer credits to offset impacts from projects that disturb the same aspects elsewhere.

Alan Plummer and Associates recently performed an environmental study to determine what uplift is possible. The ultimate goal is to issue a request for proposal (RFP) to existing mitigation bankers, who will offer proposals to pay the city for using its properties as mitigation banks.

If the city elects to move forward, then the banker must gain approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Last week, the information was presented to the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office and other related state regulatory agencies to get their comments.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

5:44 p.m.

FY17 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report

The council accepted the city’s annual audit reports and Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

6:13 p.m.

Veterans Park Synthetic Fields

The council voted unanimously to allocate additional hotel tax funds for the construction two new synthetic fields at Veterans Park and Athletic Complex.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

6:21 p.m.

Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.

6:30 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

6:32 p.m.

City Traffic Engineer Troy Rother was cited for being named Engineer of the Year by the Brazos Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.

6:36 p.m.

Hear Visitors

One person spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.

Councilman James Benham recognized Army 1st Lt. Simon T. Cox Jr. as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 30-year-old Wheeler native died Feb. 6, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M2A3 Bradley in Taji, Iraq.

6:36 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:

A $124,325.24 purchase order for a Hurst eDraulic cutter, ram, spreader and related emergency services equipment from Municipal Emergency Services through the HGAC Purchasing Cooperative.

A $213,657 contract with Weisinger, Inc., to replace the pump assembly and motor for Well No. 7.

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to approve a request to change the zoning from Rural to General Commercial for about 4½acres at 11990 Old Wellborn Rd. The change will allow for commercial development.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

6:41 p.m.

Design Review Board Appointment

The council voted unanimously to approve Katherine Cabrera to Design Review Board.

6:42 p.m.

The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.

6:42 p.m.

Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Thursday, March 22.

About the Blogger

Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.

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As spring approaches, monarch butterflies are preparing to make their annual 2,500-mile journey back to their homeland in the north. Among their stops along the way will be the Brazos Valley.

To commemorate the iconic black and orange butterflies’ return to Aggieland, the College Station Parks & Recreation Department’s Monarch March event from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday at Lick Creek Park Nature Center offers a variety of interactive educational activities.

The festivities are a fitting tribute to the winged creatures that graze our landscape each spring. The program includes a walk through Lick Creek Park Nature Center’s Monarch Waystation, butterfly face painting, tips on how to create your own waystation or butterfly garden, and much more.

Community organizations such as Friends of Lick Creek, Texas Master Naturalists, and Butterflies of the Brazos will host a booth with activities that instill a greater appreciation for wildlife.

As part of our commemoration, you can pick up two free Butterfly Retreat seed packets at our Central Park office at 1000 Krenek Tap Rd. Each pack covers more than 20 square feet and contains a wildflower mix that’s perfect for creating a butterfly habitat.

The beauty created by the spring monarch butterfly migration can be mesmerizing. Monarch March celebrates this fascinating time while emphasizing the importance of creating healthy habitats to support these beautiful insects.

Hallie Hutchins is in her third year as marketing staff assistant in the Parks & Recreation Department after graduating from Texas A&M in 2014 with a degree in sports management. She has previously worked with the Dallas Sidekicks professional soccer team and Texas Team Junior Golf. Originally from White Oak, Hallie also attended Kilgore College and was a member of the famed Kilgore Rangerettes dance team.

If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!

The workshop has started. No action was taken out of executive session.

5:27 p.m.

Consent Agenda Discussion

The council will vote on items listed on the consent agenda during tonight’s regular meeting. Councilmembers pulled these consent items for workshop discussion:

Hanson South Water Sale: As part of tonight’s consent agenda, the council will consider a contract with Burleson Water Resources to pump water from the existing ponds on the Hanson South property for hydraulic fracturing of oil wells. BWR will bear the costs for equipment and pipelines and will pay the city 10 cents a barrel, which is the industry standard rate. The city will have a contractual guarantee for at least $150,000 of revenue for the Water Fund during the first 12 months of the two-year contract. BWR must use an above-ground pipeline to move the water. Prudent safety and environmental protection provisions are also included in the contract.

5:51 p.m.

Basic Public Purchasing

The council discussed the city’s policies, procedures, and legal requirements for spending public funds.

The council discussed why Lick Creek Park and Veterans Park have not been included in the city’s count of community park acreage. It also considered the effects of that acreage exclusion to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and parkland dedication fees.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

6:49 p.m.

Mayor Mooney adjourned the workshop after the council discussed its calendar and received committee reports. The regular meeting will start after a short break.

6:58 p.m.

The regular meeting has started.

7:08 p.m.

Hear Visitors

Four people spoke during Hear Visitors when citizens might address the council on any item that doesn’t appear on the posted agenda.

James Benham recognized Army Lt. Benjamin Britt as part of the Fallen Heroes Memorial program. The 24-year-old Wheeler native died Dec. 22, 2005, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his position during a dismounted patrol in Baghdad, Iraq.

Jerome Rektorik recognized the College Station Police Department for its quick action last weekend in apprehending the A&M Consolidated High School student who made a terroristic threat on social media.

Robert Rose voiced his support for the bicycle parking requirements that will be discussed later tonight.

Richard Woodward of the College Station Association of Neighborhoods spoke against the council making zoning changes over the objections of neighborhood residents.

7:09 p.m.

Consent Agenda

The council voted unanimously to approve the entire consent agenda:

Awarded an $83,000 contract to Ramtech Building Systems for a 24-by-56-foot modular office building at the Utility Service Center.

A $468,000 contract with CRT Construction for the development of Reatta Meadows Park and upgrades at Crescent Pointe Park.

Reissued a not-to-exceed $1.5 million contract with H&B Construction for annual electric system construction and maintenance labor.

Ratified a contract for Burleson Water Resources to purchase pond water from city water wellfield property called Hanson South.

Amended the building use agreement with the Arts Council of Brazos, changing the terms to month-to-month for the building at 2275 Dartmouth Dr.

7:34 p.m.

Rezoning at Raintree and Highway 6

{this item was corrected from the earlier version}

After a public hearing, the council voted 6-1 to approve a request to changing the zoning from General Suburban to Suburban Commercial on about 1.9 acres at 2201 Raintree Drive, which was revised from General Suburban to General Commercial. The change will allow for development.

8:22 p.m.

Land Use at Rock Prairie and Fitch

After a public hearing, the council voted 4-3 to approve a request to change the land use designation from Restricted Suburban to General Commercial for about 29 acres south of the Rock Prairie Road-Fitch Parkway intersection. Mayor Karl Mooney, Councilman Bob Brick, and Councilwoman Linda Harvell voted against the motion.

The change will allow for development. One person spoke during the public hearing.

Here are the PowerPoint presentations:

9:05 p.m.

Bicycle Parking Requirements

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to amend the city’s Code of Ordinances related to bicycle parking requirements.

An earlier motion to change additional language in the existing ordinance failed, 5-2. Councilmen Barry Moore and Jerome Rektorik voted for the motion.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

9:16 p.m.

Non-Residential Architectural Standards

After a public hearing, the council voted unanimously to ease the city’s non-residential architectural standards related to screening, architectural features, and the color palette:

Amendments to Section 2.2 “Planning and Zoning Commission” and Section 2.8 “Administrator” include the removal of authority in reference to the color palette.

Amendments to Section 5.8 “Design Districts” and Section 5.10 “Overlay Districts” include the removal of references to the color palette.

Amendments to Section 7.10 “Non-Residential Architectural Standards” include removal of references to the color palette, removal of mechanical screening requirement for all zoning districts other than Suburban Commercial and Wellborn Commercial, and add architectural relief options.

Here’s the PowerPoint presentation:

9:17 p.m.

The council discussed and reviewed future agenda items.

9:17 p.m.

Mayor Mooney adjourned the meeting. The council meets again on Monday, March 5.

About the Blogger

Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.

If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!

Rezoning at Raintree and Highway 6: After a public hearing, the council will consider a request to change the zoning from General Suburban to General Commercial for about two acres on Raintree Drive north of the State Highway 6 intersection. The change would allow for development.

Land Use at Rock Prairie and Fitch: After a public hearing, the council will consider a request to change the land use designation from Restricted Suburban to General Commercial for about 29 acres south of the Rock Prairie Road-Fitch Parkway intersection. The change would allow for development.

Non-Residential Architectural Standards:After a public hearing, the council will consider easing the city’s non-residential architectural standards related to screening, architectural features, and the color palette.

The meetings can be watched live on Suddenlink Channel 19 or online. We’ll post a detailed live blog post on this site.

Colin Killian (@ColinKillian) has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. Killian has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., he graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.

If you found value in this blog post, please share it with your social network and friends!

The competitive hearts of athletes have been on full display this month at the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea. Watching on television is a thrill, but witnessing the competition in person must be spectacular.

While we can’t offer the Olympics, we can offer the same spirit of competition at the College Station Senior Games Friday through Sunday at venues across our community. Admission is free.

Frank Hershman of Surrey, British Columbia traveled 2,364 miles to compete. Other out-of-state athletes represent Louisiana and Minnesota.

Former Olympian Jim Gerhardt of Houston is competing in his fourth Brazos Valley Senior Games. He placed 11th in the triple jump at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland. Gerhardt will participate in the discus, hammer throw, javelin, and shot put.

Participants by Sport

13

5K Road Race

3

10K Road Race

4teams

Basketball

12

Free Throws

13

Basketball Skills

55

Bowling

31

Cornhole

68

Cycling

11

Disc Golf

17

Golf

124

Pickleball

23

Swimming

15

Table Tennis

90

Track & Field

15

Tennis

The College Station Senior Games couldn’t happen without our generous sponsors. We offer our sincere thanks to Brazos Valley EMS, Integrity Urgent Care, Lifespan Cognitive & Motor Neuroimaging Laboratory, Center for Translational Research in Aging & Longevity, Center for Population Health and Aging, Area Agency on Aging, Piranha Fitness and Mad Taco.

As we age, many of us are content to spectate rather than participate. But for some, an innate desire for competition doesn’t allow them to surrender to time. We invite you to check out the action for yourself!

Kelli Nesbitt (@kneztalk) has worked for the Parks & Recreation Department for 14 years, the last seven as marketing coordinator. A native of Bryan, Kelli earned a bachelor’s degree in health & kinesiology from Sam Houston State.

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